Selina stared at Jiro at a lost of words then laughed.

“Nice joke there,” Selina continued laughing. “That was really funny. Now the atmosphere doesn’t feel so tense anymore.”

Jiro stared at Selina feeling hurt, but smiled anyway, “Oh…right.”

“Anyway, what were you going to say?” asked Selina.

Jiro was quiet as he thought it over, “You seem different. That’s all.”

“Me?” Selina asked. “Oh. You curious as to why?” 

“Sure,” Jiro replied.

“I just decided to become loose,” Selina explained. “That’s all. I feel better this way. You know, actually I can let some emotion into my voice too. I’m not a statue, really. I was at a lost of how to do that after my parents passed away so suddenly. I may have seemed strange then, huh?”

Jiro nodded while feeling feeling a sense of sadness overcome him. Selina hadn’t taken him seriously. What was wrong with her now? Does she not like him anymore? Impossible. She’s already admitted it not too long ago. Her feelings couldn’t have disappeared so fast right? The ringing of Selina’s phone brought him out of his thoughts.

“Excuse me,” Selina said as she answered her phone. After a short conversation Selina turned to Jiro. “I have to go. I’ll see you at school.”

Jiro nodded without turning, “Bye.”

When Selina left Joanne entered the kitchen to wash the dishes and cleared the table. Jiro remained glued to his spot.

“Hey, Joanne,” he began, “how can a person make their feelings go away?”

Joanne turned around, “Feelings can’t go away, Jiro. Why are you asking?”

“I was just curious,” Jiro said as he got up from his chair and stretched. “I’m so tired!”

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

When Selina got back home Danson was sitting on the door steps waiting for her. It didn’t seem so strange to her anymore that he was being protective of her. Because after the incident at Jiro’s, Danson had been keeping an eye out for her even more than usual. Selina didn’t think too much of his actions, though she had to agree that they had gotten a lot closer during those days. She felt so comfortable around Danson that she could lean on his shoulder, grasp his hands, and even jump onto him.

Danson smiled up at her and got up, “Don’t nag, Selina. I already took an hour nap.”

“I wasn’t going to say anything,” Selina said then grabbed onto his arm, “you said you were going to make dinner, right?”

“It’s on the house, miss,” Danson joked as he led her inside the house.

Selina lay on her bed that night unable to go to sleep. Her mind was pondering too much questions. Did Jiro mean what he said? He can’t possibly like her, he just wanted to make fun of her. That’s it. He was just playing his games on her…but then why did she still feel her heart beat so wildly?

“It’s nothing,” Selina told herself, “just his dumb games. That’s all. He’s still considered Fei’s boyfriend. He already likes her and she’s better than me.”

Selina turned over onto her side and the radio. Just as she was about to fall asleep there was a knock on her door.

“Hey, Selina are you asleep?” it was Danson.

Selina got up from her bed and unlocked the door. As the door opened Danson looked inside.

“Are you having trouble sleeping?” asked Danson.

Selina opened the door wider letting him in, “I was just thinking some things.”

Danson frowned as he grabbed a pillow and sat down on her couch, “Like what?”

“Just some things,” Selina said taking a seat on her bed.

Danson cocked his head at her.

Selina bit her lip and said, “Like what would you do if a girl suddenly told you she liked you?”

Danson’s frown disappeared and he smiled, “If you said that it would be fine. I would reject any other girl.”

“Huh?” Selina said unsure of what she’d heard.

Danson chuckled, “Who told you that? Jiro?”

“Umm…no,” Selina lied.

Danson stared at her as if he were observing something for any damage, “I’ll tell you I’d rather let him have Fei than you.”

Selina stared at Danson, “My brain isn’t working correctly right now. So I’m not taking in what you’re saying.”

Danson smiled and walked over planting a kiss on her forehead, “I think I’ll tell you something sometime soon. Good night.”

Selina watched as Danson closed the door behind him. She dropped down onto her bed and felt she was filled with mixed emotions.

“How come they seem stranger day by day?” Selina questioned.

She was beginning to question Danson’s actions and the strange things he kept saying to her. She couldn’t figure if he was just joking or if he really meant it. At the same time, Selina couldn’t help but think about Jiro.

Selina could feel Jiro look over every once in a while and that was every time when she was getting into a conversation with Danson. By the end of the school day Selina stood by the staircase debating if she should go to Jiro’s. In the end, she had to compromise with Danson. She could go but she had to promise to hear him out that night. It got Selina curious about what Danson was going to say. He seemed serious and anxious about it.

“Are you waiting for me?” Jiro asked as he came to a stop beside her.

Selina looked up at him, “Who else would take so much time staying behind and making me wait?”

“Alright, sorry. Do you want me to piggy back you?” asked Jiro.

Selina laughed and jokingly hit his back, “Stop joking.”

Jiro laughed along with her as he took in her face. He would have actually liked to give her a piggy back ride, but he was also aware not to go too far. Selina wasn’t believing him anymore. That saddened him a little.

They were halfway through their homework when the door suddenly opened and Hebe poked her head in. As she saw both Jiro and Selina she quickly entered the room and ushered someone else to come in. Jiro frowned when Aaron entered.

“Why are you guys always coming without being invited?” Jiro questioned annoyed.

“Hebe thought you’d be lonely today,” Aaron told straightening out his shirt to free it of any wrinkles it may have gotten.

Hebe laughed nervously and tugged onto Aaron’s arm, “You weren’t supposed to say that.”

Aaron made and face and looked toward Selina, “Look who’s here today. Hey Sel.”

Jiro made a face and quickly snapped, “No one is supposed to call her Sel except me.”

Selina looked at him with a lost look and Aaron frowned while Hebe smiled mischievously.

“Except for you?” Aaron repeated. “That doesn’t sound right. Do you prefer Sel or Selina?”

Selina looked at Aaron and laughed uncomfortably, “Uh…it doesn’t matter. Why don’t you guys sit down?”

“Hey, Jiro let me speak to you outside,” Hebe cocked her head toward the door.

“Huh?” Jiro asked confused.

“Just come,” Hebe urged opening the door.

Jiro followed her out closing the door behind him.

“Well?” asked Hebe.

“Well what?” asked Jiro.

Hebe rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, “You shouldn’t be acting stupid.”

“I’m not! You two just ruined the quiet atmosphere,” Jiro whined.

Hebe frowned, “Why are you yelling at me?”

“I’m not yelling,” Jiro restructured his words quietly.

“Yes, you are,” Hebe retorted.

“Why’d you drag me out here?” Jiro asked after taking a breath.

“Oh yes,” Hebe said suddenly remembering, “did you say anything?”

“Are you stalking me?” Jiro couldn't help but wonder.

Hebe frowned, “I can just tell something’s going on. You’re so quiet and Selina’s well…I don’t know.”

Jiro rubbed his forehead, “She took it as a joke. I don’t know. She doesn’t take me seriously anymore.”

“Oooh,” Hebe said pressing her lips together, “of course. You’re such a joker. You picked on her a lot, didn’t you?”

Jiro made a face and Hebe laughed.

“My wedding’s in a few day’s time. Bring her and something might happen,” Hebe said with a smile.

Jiro looked at her feeling uncertain. He knew he liked Selina, but should he already be taking it seriously? Did he even like her that much?

After finishing their homework Selina followed the rest downstairs to look at Hebe and Aaron’s wedding pictures. After taking a seat Hebe offered to go get some snacks from the kitchen dragging Aaron with her.

“Woah!” Selina exclaimed. “Hebe looks so pretty in this one! Aaron is…hot.”

Jiro turned to Selina and frowned, “You can’t label him as that. He’s not that hot. How can you look at someone else’s husband?”

Selina laughed, “I meant cute, ok? You don’t have to react that way.”

“And you’d look like an elephant in that dress,” Jiro snapped back.

“Why are you getting mad?” Selina questioned. “You’re weird.”

“I’m not weird. You’re the strange one for checking out Aaron,” Jiro pointed out.

“I check Hebe out too,” Selina told, “is that wrong?”

“See now you’re even looking at other people’s woman!” Jiro exclaimed.

Selina frowned, “You’re so pointless.”

Selina got up from her spot, but Jiro pulled her back down.

“How can you go around with a hole in your shirt?” questioned Jiro.

Selina frowned and turned to look at him, “Where is it? I’m sure my shirt doesn’t have a hole. You’re lying, aren’t you?”

Jiro started laughing, “It’s so ugly!”

Selina frowned, “How is it ugly? It’s just a hole.”

“You’re stupid,” Jiro said lightly hitting her head.

Selina turned back to look at him and found his face inches away. She smiled at him causing Jiro’s body to quickly warm up.

“You look like a girl,” Selina laughed and moved back.

As she did she noticed someone standing in the doorway. Selina turned to look at the person and quickly jumped up from her spot.

“Danson,” Selina said surprised.

Jiro looked in his direction becoming silent, his cheery mood quickly dissolved.

“Hey,” Danson greeted.

“What are you doing here?” Selina asked.

“I came to pick you up,” Danson smiled.

Selina looked at her watch, “It’s not late yet. Are you in a hurry?”

“I sort of am,” Danson said slightly glancing at Jiro who looked straight back at Danson.

Selina nodded and turned toward Jiro, “I’ll see you at school. Tell Hebe and Aaron I said bye.”

With that Selina followed Danson out. Jiro watched from the hallway as Danson tugged Selina’s bag from her carrying it for her. He watched  the two walked away with Danson leaning against Selina playfully pushing her and causing her to run into the wall. Jiro listened as Selina laughed and yelled at Danson running back at him.

“Disappointed?” questioned Hebe.

“No, I’m not. I don’t care,” Jiro shrugged her words off.

Hebe watched Jiro drop onto the sofa she and mumbled, “Don’t let lying become a habit.”

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Danson took a breath as he glanced toward Selina. She seemed more carefree now after crying her heart out. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking, but he felt an urge inside to tell her what he’d been keeping to himself. Just by looking at Jiro he could tell what he was feeling inside. It seemed obvious that Jiro hadn’t told Selina about anything and if Danson still wanted Selina by his side he’d have to make it his advantage. On the outside Danson could still see Selina wavering toward Jiro.

Danson paused and watched as Selina walked ahead. Noticing something strange Selina stopped and turned around to look at Danson.

“Have you ever wondered why I asked you about that boy?” Danson questioned.

Selina shook her head, “No. I didn’t want to think about it much.”

Suddenly Selina could feel the mood around them change. A sudden happiness and calmness to seriousness.

“You like him, don’t you?” Danson asked.

Selina frowned at him, “What are you talking about?”

“You’re starting to like Jiro, aren’t you?” Danson asked making his question clearer.

Selina felt her heart race faster as she froze on the spot. Why was Danson asking her this?

“I’m…no,” Selina replied stuttering.

Danson walked toward her slowly and Selina felt his hands gently grasp onto her shoulders. Selina turned her head slightly to look at his hands and returned her gaze to Danson looking straight into his eyes.

“It’s me,” Danson said slowly and his eyes seemed show his pain Selina couldn’t feel, “the boy. He’s me. I thought maybe you’d remember if I talked about it with you, but you didn’t.”

Selina felt her mind come to a blank.

“I know it’s foolish to bring back feelings from when we were kids, but my feelings for you never died away. Even if I tried dating other girls I just couldn’t feel that happiness I had when I was with you,” Danson said.

“That was 10 years ago,” Selina muttered.

“You already promised me your love…so…so don’t like him. Jiro can’t be a part of your future,” Danson shook his head.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Selina’s night ended quickly and found herself lying awake.

“That was harsh,” Selina thought to herself as she replayed Danson’s words over in her head.

“Jiro can’t be a part of your future.”

Selina turned into a different position, “That line stings…he is being selfish…but I did promise him. It’s also so childish though…on the other hand it needs to be taken seriously too.” Selina sighed. “I was a kid then! We were like 8. But how could I have forgotten? I’m so stupid! What to do now.”

Selina couldn’t help, but feel awkward as she sat next to Danson on the way to school the next morning. Before she had only thought that Danson was only being nice to her because no one else did that and since now she understood why, she wasn’t sure how to feel. Would it be right to just ignore him? Would it also be right trying to like him back and bring back the past? Selina shook her head.

“What are you doing?” Fei asked.

Selina’s eyes went wide and she looked over at Fei.

“Uh…nothing,” Selina said and laughed nervously.

Selina slowly turned and found Danson looking at her. She felt embarrassment and quickly turned away.

Throughout class Selina found herself for the first time scribbling on her piece of paper. She couldn’t help it, but just think. Danson was her cousin. Was it right? But couldn’t she just try liking him since he’s been so nice? No. Selina found herself understanding why he hadn’t wanted her so close to Jiro then and why Danson had always been acting protective. Selina sighed finding herself at a lost. She couldn’t come to a decision. Suddenly Selina looked up to find Jiro glancing over. As soon as he caught her eye he quickly returned to taking notes. Selina frowned and turned to look at Danson who seemed absorbed in the lesson.

After school Selina found herself pondering over her two choices. Going to the Tang’s home with Danson or tutoring at Jiro’s.

“Is my life left with only these two choices?” Selina questioned herself with a sigh.

“Why are you talking to yourself?” questioned Danson as he stopped beside her.

Selina turned toward him alarmed. She bit her bottom lip and glanced at the ground then returned back to Danson with a foolish smile.

Danson smiled, “You’re opening up a lot after that incident, you know that?”

Selina raised her eyebrows in question.

“I want to take you somewhere,” Danson said. “Come on.”

Selina found herself standing beyond a playground. She frowned and turned to look up at Danson.

“What’s this?” questioned Selina.

Danson gave a short laugh and smiled, “We played in that sandbox together.”

“Do you really miss your childhood?” Selina questioned.

“Of course,” Danson replied, “it’ll be gone forever once we graduate.”

Selina was silent for a while, “Sorry. I can’t seem to remember anything.”

“We would be inseparable now if you hadn’t moved,” Danson told, “would you consider your feelings for me?”

“It was too sudden yesterday, wasn’t it?” Selina pointed out. “You’ve been keeping it in for a while, haven’t you? You just felt you needed to say it, right?”

Danson remained still.

“It was too sudden for you and me,” Selina went on, “we’re still young and we can still consider other people right now right?”

Danson laughed wholeheartedly, but Selina could tell that it was a fake one.

“I’ll reconsider my promise to you, but I need some time,” Selina replied then grasped onto his arm, “want to go play in the sandbox?”

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Jiro was leaning on his fists against the table. He didn’t know why, but he felt so bored and depressed. It was too quiet now. He wanted to be accompanied by Selina. He knew for sure he’d had fun with her at the least. She was easy to tease and he guessed he had fun trying to figure her out. But where was she? Maybe with Danson? Jiro sighed and hoped not. Whenever Danson was around he always gave Jiro tension.

Jiro moaned, “I can’t help, but only think of these things when I’m alone. This !”

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Selina had just finished taking a hot shower and was now staring out into the city through her open window. She could feel the warm breeze fly in.

“I can’t take back my words,” she thought to herself. “Was my promise that important to him?”

No matter how hard Selina tried she couldn’t remember her past. Then maybe she could try rebuilding the feelings. There were also good points in Danson she would be able to find easily. Selina sighed feeling reluctant in doing anything. His reaction today showed he was already slightly disappointed.

“I’m really at a lost of what to do,” Selina sighed.

The next morning when they reached school Danson had already hurried off without waiting for Selina. Looking around and finding Fei sending her death glares she sighed and walked toward her classroom. That whole day Danson seemed a little off with her making her feel uncomfortable, unsure, lost, and confused. It was easy to tell that he wasn’t the same. Usually he would talk with her everyday whenever he could and there was never once when he ignored her. Selina couldn’t help, but sigh again as she slightly turned to glance at him. After school Selina decided to try to wait for Danson.

“Hey, lets walk home together,” Selina suggested trying to sound like she was really in a good mood.

“It’s good you can call my house your home now,” Danson replied, “but I have work. Since I don’t have time for you today why don’t you go to Jiro’s? I think you’d feel better that way.”

Selina opened to retort, but Danson had already walked off. She figured it must have been something she had said yesterday that had made him have that kind of attitude. He was strange and she wasn’t used to it.

“Is he that disappointed?” Selina questioned herself.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Jiro quickly ran back to his desk after talking with the teacher and stuffed his folder into his backpack. When he turned around he came to an immediate stop when he noticed Fei standing at the doorway.

“How come you’ve been avoiding me?” asked Fei.

Jiro found himself standing outside in the empty schoolyard. His only exit was being blocked by Fei.

“I…why would I do such a thing?” Jiro asked laughing.

Fei frowned, “Liar. I looked for you yesterday at lunch, but you ran off to the bathroom. I tried to call you the other day, but your maid said you had guests.”

“Oh, come on. I have a life too, Fei. You know I want to do lots during this period in my life. I’m going to graduate soon and…” Jiro stopped as he realized he was just coming up with a bunch of excuses that was just going to make things worse. “Look, I never meant to hurt you, ok? I’m sorry if I haven’t made time for you.”

“Then what?” asked Fei crossing her arms.

Jiro bit his bottom lip, “Lets break up. I’ve never liked you.”

Jiro stared and watched in silence as tears were brought to Fei’s eyes. Tears dripped from her eyes and she turned around quickly running off. Jiro found himself feeling sorry and guilty, but also knew it was for the best. He just couldn’t be with someone he didn’t like…anymore.

When Jiro opened the door to the study room he found Selina sitting inside. As he walked over he finally noticed that she was just making a lot of unrecognizable marks on a blank piece of paper.

“What’s this?” asked Jiro.

Selina quickly turned when Jiro took a seat. When she found no one behind her she turned back around to see Jiro sitting.

“Where were you?” questioned Selina.

“Doing my business,” Jiro replied as he took out his homework.

When half an hour had passed Jiro looked up again to see that Selina was just staring at her piece of paper. Interested that he was seeing her like that he watched her for a while. Still in the next few minutes Selina had not yet moved.

“Hey,” Jiro said moving forward and pushing her head back.

“I don’t know!” Selina suddenly shouted.

She found Jiro frowning at her.

“What is wrong with you?” questioned Jiro. “You don’t know 'what'?”

Selina made a face and pushed her falling hair behind her ears then rubbed her forehead.

“Do you have some cold water?” Selina questioned.

Downstairs in the kitchen Jiro found Selina gulping a glass one after another.

“Shouldn’t you be drinking beer like that instead?” questioned Jiro.

Selina slammed down the cup and took a loud breath then moaned.

“Why does he have to act like that? I find it so childish. He could have just told me what I said wrong,” Selina said aloud.

Jiro let his expression leave his face, “Who’s 'he'?”

“I’m talking about Danson,” Selina said. “Do you remember that little boy I told you about?”

Jiro stayed still.

“At first Danson tried reminding me about him, but I didn’t know. Hey, what would you do if your childhood friend confessed to you?” Selina asked.

“But what did he say?” Jiro asked trying not to let his hurt feelings show.

“You know what I mean by confession, right?” Selina asked.

Jiro shook his head no.

“You know it’s…that…uh…when it’s…when someone tells you they like you,” Selina finally brought the words out.

Jiro stared at Selina feeling everything in time freeze. Danson confessed his feelings? Jiro wanted to lean over and shake Selina to tell her she couldn’t return his feelings. Instead Jiro remained glued to his spot.

“You found out he’s that boy?” Jiro asked.

“Well...yea,” Selina replied. “I don’t know what to do. If you were in my position what would you do?”

“But I’m not in your position. I like you. Please realize that. I mean it.” Jiro thought to himself.

After Selina had left Jiro was still sitting in the kitchen.

“I think they had big crushes on each other or something. Danson still has letters they wrote to each other. Selina promised that when she comes back she’ll love him forever. Silly right?” Fei’s words played itself over and over in Jiro’s mind.

“What do I do now? I’m asking the same question you are,” Jiro thought.

“Where were you?” questioned Selina.

“Doing my business,” Jiro replied as he took out his homework.

When half an hour had passed Jiro looked up again to see that Selina was just staring at her piece of paper. Interested that he was seeing her like that he watched her for a while. Still in the next few minutes Selina had not yet moved.

“Hey,” Jiro said moving forward and pushing her head back.

“I don’t know!” Selina suddenly shouted.

She found Jiro frowning at her.

“What is wrong with you?” questioned Jiro. “You don’t know what?”